Machine control



23, 1945. a M. SCHENK MACHINE CONTgOL Filed March 13, 1942 2 sh eetssheet 1 FIG.' 3

mvgwron 5J4; SCH-ENK A TTORNEY e; M; SCHENK MACHINE CONTROL Filed March 13, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 U INVENTOR EM. SCHENK 9 BY v flfimvwflM A TTORNEY Patented Oct. 23, 1945 MAGHINE CONTROL Everett M. Sehenk, New Providence, N. .L, assign- .or towestern Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., aoorporation of New York New March .13, 19.42, Serial No. see-559 3 claims. (01. 2o;7-.2)

invention relates to machine controls, and more particularly to controls for extrusion presses.

n Extmsion presses, particularly those for extwirling lead antimony sheaths on cores, such as electrical conducting cables, require attention inthe control cit-he particularly the limits of movement thereof and the timing zOf the solidi- ,ficationperiod one new change disposed in the cylinder. t

.An object of the invention "is to provide a. ma-

chine montrolwpanticularly adaptable to extrusion M5555, to accurately control the limits of :relatively movable members and to emciemtly indicate the time interval the members remain at rest at n given position. t t v with this andother objects in wiew, the inven hon comprises a vcontrol dior 1a. machine having a ent :from the zfollowing :detailed vdescription when considened intconilunction with the accompanyin drawings, wherein Fig.1" is a fragmentary front :elevational view of a. machine illustrating mechanical portions of the kcontrol';

t t Fig. 2 is a front .elevational View .of contain nnttsof the control;

:3 is :a. fragmentary lront .eilevationa'l view I of a control panel with other units of the contml, and t n t me! is :a, wiring diagram illustrating :the electrical circuits of the control. t

Befenfinganow to the drawingsattention is first dlrectedtzto which illustrates a portion of an press, the type of machine selected to illnstnate the invention. Although only a; portion [of the "press isfillustrated, the important ablecsupport (not shown) and including an out ortextmsion nozzle [t2 through which a core maycbe passed :to Ereceive asheathiof the material {mm the cylinder. A cram M, supported by a head I! in alignment with an opening I6 the a plurality of columns M; only one of which is shown. Suitable means :may'be provided tocause movement of the ram 11 through movement of its head l5. "In Fig.4:a diagrammatic illustration of one means is shown. In this illustration a piston 1 9 is operatively connected to the l4 and is disposed "in a cylinder 21), the latter :being connected selectively to fluid lines 12:71 and -22 through a vellve '23 to receive a fluid imderipliessure item a pump '24 to cause movement of the piston 19 downwacdly or upward-1y depending upon 'bhe position of the valve. The pressure present iinthe Fflllid lines fttl sand 21 may be varied zhy a valve 25 in a zby-zpass about the pump as shown.

Attention as-aim directed to Fig. 1, which illustraites a :bracket 26 rigidly mounted on the head 4:5 and curved to extend a desired distanceabout the column ill. A vertical *rod 21 is supported by the outer end 0f the bracket 26, the mod extending downwardly from the bracket and parallel with the column to a point where suppoxits an indicating-pointer 28. In the present illustration the pointer :28 is located registration a stationary indicator 29' mounted :upon the column l wthus indicating the starting position of the ram 4!. Another indicating pointer 33B, similar to the pointer 28., is mounted upon the mod 23 at a position above the pointer 2-8, to indicate the finishing position for the mam when located in registration with the stationary indicator 29. :Switchactuating cams 32 and 53 are mounted upon the mod 12! at the positions shown, and saithough each cam :is adapted to actuate "a switch :34 mounted on the column 17, these cams inmotion, :not during the normal operation of the press, but as protective means adapted to stop the-ram at its upper andt-lowerrlimits respectively, should the operators attention not :be directed to the press during these intervals of time in which tThe press is operated. Another switch 3-5 is textures one shown and other features may be opponent. The press includes a. cylinder ll) :for receiving a charge of material 11.,281131'1384811110111811 lead, "the cylindermeing mounted upon a suitswitch 356 during downward movement of the rod :2?! and the ram H, but to allow actuation of the cam :during upward movement of these parts, the in this instance being rotated as it strikes the plunger-A0 of the switch.

minder, is supported tor vertical movement on The portion of the control illustrated in Fig. 2

includes a plurality of electrical units of the control circuit together with a time clock 42 of a conventional type, including a motor driven mechanism for moving a hand 43 relative to time indicating dials 44 and 45 and a variable limit or stop 46. In this structure a visual signal, such as an indicating light 48, is also disposed.

Other units are illustrated in Fig. 3 which may function in the control of the press. The functions of these units will be described more in detail hereinafter, but in referring to them generally reference numeral 49 indicates a pressure gage registering the pressure of the ram l4, Units 50 and: are electrical switches respectively, opening and closing an electrical circuit to effect stopping and starting the pump motor 65. A unit 52 is an electrical switch to effect stopping the time clock 42 and an electrical unit 53 is a buzzer or other suitable audible unit energized through the control of the clock 42 for a purpose hereinafter described. A unit 54 is a lock switch actuable by a key 55 to recondition the press for operation after it has passed beyond limits controlled by the cams 32 and 33 and the switch34.

Attention is now directed to the wiring diagram in Fig. 4 through the aid of which the functions'of the part and units previously described may be clearly understood. The various electrical units and switches illustrated in the wiring diagram and the other cooperating parts of the control illustrated in the drawings are in the positions which they assume when the press is in its starting position. By the term "starting position it is not meant that the press is ready to start extruding the material but that the press is open to receive a new vcharge of the material ll. When in this position there is no fluid pressure in the fluid line 2| and a pressure control switch 69,

which functions with the pressure gage 49 and includes a mercury switch 6|. is in a position where the contacts of the switch Bl are closed. Whenin this position a circuit is completed, through the closing of the switch 59 and its associated switch 5|, from a supply line 63 at connection 64 through the switch 6|, the normally closed switch 34, .switches 50 and 5|, a motor 65 for driving the pump 24, to another supply line 66 of the main supply circuit at connection 61. The ram l 4 may be moved downwardly, by the force of the fluid under the control of the valve 23, into the cylinder opening l6, where it meets the material H, until there is a pressure of five hundred pounds per square inch on the material, this pressure being registered on the pressure gage 49. During the downward movement of the ram the cam 31 (Figs. 1 and 4) is moved downwardly with the rod 21 and the moment the ram engages the material in the cylinder, the cam causes actuation of the switch 36 to complete a circuit from a supply line 19 at connection 1 I, through switch 36, a relay 12, to a supply line 13 at connection 14. The reason for the two sets of supply lines is that the motor 65 for driving the pump, in thepresent embodiment, requires electrical connection with a 440- volt alternating current supply, whereas the electrical units in the lower portion of the diagram require a 110-volt alternating current supply.

Returning now to the relay 12, which is a part of the mechanism of the time clock 42 represented in Fig, 4 by the dotted lines bearing the same reference numeral, the relay, when energized, closes a contact to complete a circuit from line 10, at16, through a motor clutch coil unit 11, a normally closed contact 18, contact 15, switch 52, connections 19 and 80, relay 12, to line thereto.

13 at connection 14. This completes a locking circuit for the relay 12. I The moment the relay (2 is energized the time clock mechanism is started, through the operation of the clutch unit IT, to render a motor 8| effective to actuate the time clock mechanism (not shown) to'move the hand 43.(Fig. .2) relative to the dials 44 and Y45 and the set stop 46. The motor 8| is normally energized during the operation of the press, it being electrically connected to the supply lines 70 and 13 as shown in Fig. 4. The moment the switch 36 is closed to cause energization of the relay 12, a relay 83 is energized to open a normally closed contact 84, to. place the circuit including the motor 65 under the control of the mercury switch 6|. This is a safety function against the application of a greater pressure to the material II through the ram l4. The mercury switch 6|, which is a part of the pressure gage 49, is moved with the indicating pointer thereof through variations in a tube 85 connected to the supply line 2| through a line 86. The circuit through the relay 83 may be traced from line 19 at connection H through switch 36, connection 90, relay 83, connection 81, to line 13 at 14. The relay 83 is also included in the aforementioned locking circuit at the connections-BO and 81. The circuit including the contact 84 may be traced from line 63 at connection 83, through contact 84, connection 89, switches 34, 50 and 5|, motor 65, to line 66 at connection 61.

The time required for the proper solidification of the material, that is the cooling of the material to a plastic state where it may be ready for extrusion, depends upon the type of material employed. In the present instance the material is a lead antimony used for the extrusion of metallic sheaths on electrical cables and the time required for the solidification of this type of material is six and one-half minutes. The stop 46 of the time clock 42 is, therefore, located with respect to the dials and 45 to register six and'one-half minutes. The movement of the stop 46 relative to the pointer or hand 43 creates an adjustment of switch controlling elements, such as cams and 9|, relative to their contacts 92 and 18 respectively. The'cam 99 is adapted to close its contact 92 at the end of the six and one-half minute period. At this time a circuit is completed from line 'Hlat connection 16 through clutch coil unit 11, contacts 18 and 15, connections 93, 94 and 95,

through a relay 96 to line 13 at connection 91. Additional circuits are completed at the same time through the light 48 and the buzzer 53, the

first being continued from connection 95 through connection 98, light 48 to line 13 at connection 99, the other being continued from connection 98 through the buzzer 53, to line 73 at connection I 09. Therefore, at the end of the solidification period, the visual signal 43will be illuminated and the audible signal 53 will be energized, notifying the operator that the press is readyfor the beginning of the extrusion operation. The relay 96 and its contact l9! function in connection with a shunted portion of the circuits previously described, including that portion between the connections 93 and 94, around the switch 52, to render the latter ineffective to stop the clock mechanism during the selected time interval for the cooling of the material. However, upon energization of the relay 96 at the end of this time in-' terval, the switch 52 is rendered effective to deenergize the clutch unit 11 by opening the circuit open the locking circuit through the relays 12 and 83, simultaneously causing deenergization thereof The actuation of the switch 52 will also acetates rto dismntlnnethecontralimg efleetnrthetiming mums and mechanism; allowing itzhe oontact $4 to close, comnletingithe circuit around merimn'y switch to motor 85 {so that additional proca ne may .be applied 'to the material H forthcextnm'inn thereof. The actuation of switch it aisoiopensthe circuit to the visual and audible signals 48 and 53 respectively. If by any chance the operator should mot observe the signais and aliow the oontmlanechanism to continue, the via mi and signals will remain ifunlctioning ioragiven length of time czmtrolled by the cam 81; may beset to open the contact 1:8 to

l'eflectively accomplish the same resuzltdwliich is and the actuation of the waive 2.3, \to appl the 1185M pressure to the material to prevent the forming of shrinkage cavities (therein .flluzringthe six and sone hali minute solidification period. The moment the ram reaches the material and applies the desired pressure, the switch 36 is closed through the actuation of the cam 31, energizing the relays I2 and 83 simultaneously, the latter causing the placing ofthe circuit through the motor 65 under the direct control of the mercury switch BL'which functions to allow only the given pressure to be applied to the material, any greater pressure causing actuation of the mercury switch to open the circuit to the the relay 12 is energized, this relay being immediately locked in through a circuit including the clutch coil unit 1'! which is adapted to connect the 1 time clock motor 8| with other operable mechanism of the clock including the hand 43 and the cams 90 and 9|. Thus, continued movement of the cam 31 to effect opening of the switch 36, will not interrupt continued functioning of the time clock mechanism. Jihis mechanism remains effective against stopping through accidental operation of the switch 52, dueto the shunted circuit, through the normally closed contact l! for the duration of the solidification period. At the end of this period, the cam 90 having opened the contact I III, has rendered the switch 52 efiective,

upon manual actuation, to stop the time clock mechanism and to open circuits through the visual and audible signals 48 and 53. The opening of the switch 52 also causes deenergization of the relays l2 and 83, rendering the pump motor circuit effective for the continued or increased pressure to the material through the ram to begin the extrusion operation. This operation may continue automatically, to apply a constant extrusion pressure, it being the operators duty, however, to stop the extrusion pressure at the time the indicating pointer 30 reaches the indicator 29. If, however, the operator fails to carry out this function, the cam 33, in its downward movement with the rod 21, will cause actuation of the switch 34 to open the circuit to the motor 65 to stop the pumpand thus stop the fluid pressure to move the ram. It is, therefore, necessary, in order to contmue operation of the press, for the operator pump motor. The moment the switch 36 is closed,

to actuate the switch :54; This switch must be actuated by the aid of the .key :55, The key may he carried :by the operator s supervisor, whose attention must then be called to the fact that the press was not stopped .atthe proper-anoint. a safety factor to eliminate damage toathe press should the ram not :be stopped at the given point. A :simil-aroperation takes place when the ram is moved upwardly, should the ram not .be stopped at the starting point with the pointer 28 .mgis- :ter-ing with the indicator 29.. Movement of the ram beyond :this position causes actuation of the switch s4, through the cam .32., :to open the ciromit to the pump motor =65, requiring actuation 10f the switch 54 to bring about further operation of the press. The circuit for the switch 54 may be traced from .line 5.3 at connection 16-5,, through the switch .54 when closed :by the key-55., through (con- :necti-on m6, switch bl, motor 85,, to line at connection =51.

With this control, the [operation of the machine, which in this instance is an extrusion press, \does not require the constant attention of the opcrater. The accuracy in the time interval for the cooling or solidification period of the material is of great importance in that the application of an extrusion pressure on the material prior to "the termination of the solidification period, would result in hazardous blOWOlitS of the material at the extrusion .nozz-le. Thus the con-tnol provides automatic accurate or the cooling period, eliminates short and faulty timing, there by eliminating hazardous blowout-s, gives positive notification of the end of the cooling period, and minimizes over-travel of the ram in either direction.

In the present embodiment the machine selected to illustrate the invention is an extrusion press, one wherein the ram is moved downwardly into the cylinder. It should be understood that the control would operate efficiently on presses wherein the cylinder was moved relative to the ram or both the ram and the cylinder were moved relative to each other. Furthermore, the control would operate efficiently on other types of machines, for example, on punch or forming presses wherein members are moved relative to each other to apply variable pressures on material for variable lengths of time.

Although specific improvements of the invention have been shown and described it will be understood that they are but illustrative and that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An extrusion press including a cylinder to receive material to be extruded, which material has been heated to a molten state, an extrusion nozzle for the cylinder and through which the material may he extruded, a ram receivable in thecylinder, a fluid pump, a fluid connection between said pump and cylinder for creating relative movement between said ram and said cylinder, a motor for operating said pump, and a control for said motor comprising, a first means receiving fluid from said pump and actuable under a predetermined pressure thereof for stopping said motor and therefore said pump and ram after a predetermined movement of said ram has created a predetermined pressue on said molten material, a timing mechanism, a second means constructed to be automatically actuated prior to the stopping of said motor for starting the timing mechanism, and means actuated by said timing mechanism after a predetermined time lapse sufficient for said material to attain an extrusion state, for starting said motor for operating the pump to, again cause relative movement of the ram and cylinder under such pressure as'to extrude the material through-the nozzle.

2. An extrusion press including a cylinder to receive material to be extruded, which material has been'heated to a molten state, an extrusion nozzle for the cylinder and through which the material may be extruded, a ram receivable in the cylinder, a fluid pump, a fluid connection between said pump and said cylinder for creating relative movement between said ram and said cylinder, 9. motor for operating said pump, and a control for said motor comprising, a switch in a circuit including said motor, a first means receiving fluid from said pump and actuable under a predetermined pressure thereof for moving the switch into open position to stop said motor and therefore said pump and ram after a predetermined movement of said ram has created a predetermined pressure on the molten material, a timing mechanism, a second means constructed to be automatically actuatedprior to the stopping ofsaid motor for starting the timing mechanism, and means actuated by said timing mechanism after a predetermined time lapse sufiicient for said material to attain an extrusion state, for starting said motor for operating the pump to again cause relative movement of the ram and cylinder under such pressure as to' extrude the material through the nozzle.

3. An extrusion press including a cylinder to receive material to be extruded, which material has been heated to a molten state, an extrusion nozzle for the cylinder and through which the material may be extruded, a ram receivable in the cylinder, a fluid pump, a fluid connection betweensaid pump and said .cylinder for creating relative movement between said ram and said cylinder, 2. motor for operating'said pump, and a control for said motorcomprising, a switch in a circuit including said motor, a first means receiving fluid from said pump and actuable under a predetermined pressure thereor for moving the switch into open position to stop said motor-and therefore said pump and ram after a predetermined movement of said ram has created a predetermined pressure on the molten material, a timing mechanism, a second means constructed to be automatically actuated prior to the stopping of said motor for starting the timing mechanism, and a shunt circuit for the motor about the switch, held open by said timing mechanism, torender the switch inefiective to stop the motor after a predetermined time lapse suflicient for said material to attain an extrusion state, to

start said motor for operating the pump to again cause relative movement'of the ram and cylinder under such pressure as to extrude the material through the nozzle.

EVERETT M. SCHENK. 

